Friday, August 3, 2012

Lives Saved: Lightening Hendricks

Name: Lightening HendricksBreed: Desert Tortoise

Age: Over 60 years oldDiagnosis: Trauma to legs and abdomen

Having a pet in the family for over 50 years seems
nearly impossible, but the Hendricks estimate that Lightening, their
not-so-speedy California Desert Tortoise, is probably over 60 years old.
She has lived in their yard for, literally, decades. In September of 2009 they found her not moving, with large gaping wounds in front of
both of her rear legs. The wounds were deep, all the way through the
skin, perhaps entering the belly, and filled with debris and maggots.The Hendricks brought her to Dr. Ikezawa at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care.

Lightening was understandably painful and ill, not
moving much and losing interest in eating. While it is not known for sure what caused Lightening's wound there is a high probability that they were caused by a raccoon. She was sedated and her
wounds were cleaned aggressively. Tortoises are slow to heal and she would require daily treatment in order to give her a chance at survival. The Hendricks decided to move forward full force with Lightening's care. She was hospitalized for two weeks
with daily wound care, antibiotics, and force feedings, when finally the
wounds looked clean enough to try to surgically close them. Under
anesthesia, the wounds were surgically closed and a feeding tube placed
so that the Hendricks could continue to medicate and feed her at home.

Lightening seemed to be recovering at home when it started to get cold
outside and her instinct to brumate (reptile version of hibernate) took
over. At the end of October, her wounds were still not healed, but the
feeding tube needed to be removed and she needed to be allowed to
brumate. The Hendricks kept their fingers crossed that their aggressive
care before her brumation would allow her to wake up in the spring
still healthy and healing.

In March of 2010, Lightening “woke up” and
started to eat on her own. A recheck revealed that the sutures could
finally be removed. There were still small defects in the incision but
they appeared to be healing without complication. The Hendricks still
needed to clean the wounds and apply topical medication but it appeared
Lightening would make a full recovery!

A final recheck
in June 2010 has shown that Lightening has healed completely. The Hendricks are
finally able to take a break from tending to her wounds, and are both
happy and unhappy to report that she is healthy enough to be breaking
into their garden and stealing green beans off their plants! While dogs
may take weeks to heal, reptiles can take months or longer, but can
recover from severe injuries given the proper care and time.